fuel guage erratic

frankiev · 09-02-2020, 01:40 PM

I know there's been many issues with the Z fuel guage but mines a bit different . Sometimes it says I'm on empty sometime reads ok but not accurately ie half tank show 3/4 and other odd combinations. When fuel gets low car will cut out for a second on right turns . Almost seems like a loose connection . Any help with a possible cause greatly appreciated

JARblue · 09-02-2020, 01:46 PM

Called fuel starve when it cuts out on right hand turns. You might also have a broken top hat. While you're in there check the level sensor.

Rusty · 09-02-2020, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

Called fuel starve when it cuts out on right hand turns. You might also have a broken top hat. While you're in there check the level sensor.

BettyZ · 09-02-2020, 06:55 PM

It's miffed you don't know how to spell 'gauge.'

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

frankiev · 09-08-2020, 04:30 PM

Getting ready to dig into this but I'm a bit confused . Are there two pumps ? One on each side . Which one is responsible or most likely to be or do I need to replace both . Do I need to replace only the sending units and top hat ? Or could the broken hat top cause both the guage and fuel starve issues.. Sorry for the dumb questions . Any help appreciated

Rusty · 09-08-2020, 05:02 PM

There is one pump, on the pass side. 2 fuel floats, one on each side. The top hat for the fuel pump on the pass side has a bad habit of breaking.

frankiev · 09-08-2020, 05:13 PM

Thank you . So the fuel starvation is more than likely the top hat . I'm assuming the erratic/intermitten fuel gauge reading could be either float

Rusty · 09-08-2020, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankiev

Thank you . So the fuel starvation is more than likely the top hat . I'm assuming the erratic/intermitten fuel gauge reading could be either float

No, the fuel starve is caused by the fuel going away from the fuel pump. The fuel pump is on the right side. Make a hard right turn. All the fuel ends up on the left side. There is not baffle to stop it. The only baffle in the tank is for front to rear fuel movement.

frankiev · 09-08-2020, 05:28 PM

I'm going to sound stupid but I thought you said the pump was on the passenger side which is the left side ?
The fuel gauge will sometimes read empty and sometimes read close to actual but not correct . The top hat can cause that as well ?

frankiev · 09-08-2020, 05:33 PM

I am stupid . Paasenger is right side

SouthArk370Z · 09-08-2020, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankiev

I am stupid . Paasenger is right side

I've been working on cars for 40+ years and still have to stop and think about which side is vehicle left/right sometimes.

Rusty · 09-08-2020, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

I've been working on cars for 40+ years and still have to stop and think about which side is vehicle left/right sometimes.

That's like Port and Starboard. Curbside and Roadside.

phunk · 09-14-2020, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankiev

I'm going to sound stupid but I thought you said the pump was on the passenger side which is the left side ?
The fuel gauge will sometimes read empty and sometimes read close to actual but not correct . The top hat can cause that as well ?

The fuel level sensor could be broken or worn causing it read inconsistently. Or the top hat could have broken causing it read incorrectly as the sensor would not know which way is up. Sometimes an in-tank hose can be caught on the sensor and cause it read funny.

The car will fuel starve on right hand turns whether the top hat is broken or not. The less fuel there is in the tank, the more likely you are to experience it. A broken top hat can make it fuel starve much worse.

All the questions will be answered by removing the passenger side assembly and examining it, and testing it if necessary.

ZoomZ · 09-14-2020, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

I've been working on cars for 40+ years and still have to stop and think about which side is vehicle left/right sometimes.

In the airplane world its always looking forward. I don't know why Automotive industry never adopted that. still refer to pax or driver side. what do you do with British cars?

In helicopter world, driver sits on right side.

phunk · 09-14-2020, 04:34 PM

As far as I know, it is also universally accepted in automotive that it is factored when looking forward. Though it did take me years to finally accept that. Any time my brain is on hold for it, I remember LHD vs RHD cars.

09-02-2020, 01:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
frankiev Base Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: so fl Posts: 89 Drives: 2012 370 nismo Rep Power: 10	fuel guage erratic I know there's been many issues with the Z fuel guage but mines a bit different . Sometimes it says I'm on empty sometime reads ok but not accurately ie half tank show 3/4 and other odd combinations. When fuel gets low car will cut out for a second on right turns . Almost seems like a loose connection . Any help with a possible cause greatly appreciated

09-02-2020, 01:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 43 Posts: 36,449 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684440	Called fuel starve when it cuts out on right hand turns. You might also have a broken top hat. While you're in there check the level sensor. SouthArk370Z, Rusty and BettyZ like this. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

09-02-2020, 06:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
BettyZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Chicagoland Age: 37 Posts: 5,261 Drives: A Garage Queen Rep Power: 2684370	It's miffed you don't know how to spell 'gauge.' Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk Optimiser likes this. __________________ '14 MB Nismo \| Boost Lab 6870 1.32 AR 553 HP / 471 ft.-lbs. Betty Mods

09-08-2020, 04:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
frankiev Base Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: so fl Posts: 89 Drives: 2012 370 nismo Rep Power: 10	Getting ready to dig into this but I'm a bit confused . Are there two pumps ? One on each side . Which one is responsible or most likely to be or do I need to replace both . Do I need to replace only the sending units and top hat ? Or could the broken hat top cause both the guage and fuel starve issues.. Sorry for the dumb questions . Any help appreciated Last edited by frankiev; 09-08-2020 at 04:34 PM.

09-08-2020, 05:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
Rusty Ronin Samurai - Assassin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 68 Posts: 34,864 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684436	There is one pump, on the pass side. 2 fuel floats, one on each side. The top hat for the fuel pump on the pass side has a bad habit of breaking. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

09-08-2020, 05:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
frankiev Base Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: so fl Posts: 89 Drives: 2012 370 nismo Rep Power: 10	Thank you . So the fuel starvation is more than likely the top hat . I'm assuming the erratic/intermitten fuel gauge reading could be either float

09-08-2020, 05:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
frankiev Base Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: so fl Posts: 89 Drives: 2012 370 nismo Rep Power: 10	I'm going to sound stupid but I thought you said the pump was on the passenger side which is the left side ? The fuel gauge will sometimes read empty and sometimes read close to actual but not correct . The top hat can cause that as well ?

09-08-2020, 05:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
frankiev Base Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: so fl Posts: 89 Drives: 2012 370 nismo Rep Power: 10	I am stupid . Paasenger is right side Rusty and Optimiser like this.

09-14-2020, 04:34 PM	#15 (permalink)
phunk A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 3,655 Drives: 370 Rep Power: 944523	As far as I know, it is also universally accepted in automotive that it is factored when looking forward. Though it did take me years to finally accept that. Any time my brain is on hold for it, I remember LHD vs RHD cars. __________________ Charles @ CJ Motorsports : Website \| Facebook \| Instagram \| YouTube Home of the 9 second, stock longblock, stock drivetrain 6MT 370z. 9.91 @ 142mph

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Erratic RPMs	Tribalpinoy91	Engine & Drivetrain	3	09-26-2017 08:38 AM
Fuel guage not working	123Iwin	DIY Section (Do-It-Yourself)	6	02-10-2015 11:23 AM
Fuel Guage Sender Replacement - Fuel Odor	Threev8s	Exterior & Interior	6	12-12-2014 10:24 AM
Possible Fuel Guage Issue?	happytheman	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	13	10-28-2011 07:56 PM
Fuel guage math question......?	cave vulture	Exterior & Interior	23	06-05-2009 03:00 PM